FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Yes! During the registration process, you can request a campership application. This application will be sent once the deposit is received.

A deposit of $75/camper per session is required at the time of registration.

All registrations must be paid in full by June 1, 2025.

Registrations with unpaid balances cannot be guaranteed after June 1, 2025.

Final payments made by check must be postmarked by May 25, 2025.

Yes, Camp Stella Maris is non-conversional and campers are not required to be Catholic. CSM is a self-governing and self-supporting entity that follows the Catholic faith. Campers attend a kid-friendly Catholic Mass 2 times each week. Our spiritual program teaches values and lessons that can be applied throughout our lives regardless of where each person is in their faith journey.

A menu will be emailed the week prior to your camper’s arrival.

We do provide multiple food options each meal including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian.

If your camper has special dietary concerns, please contact Melissa 585-346-2243 ext 104 or by email melissa.haynes@campstellamaris.org

Homesickness is a very natural part of the camp experience. It is normal for campers to miss home. Our counselors are trained to work with campers that may be struggling with homesickness. This usually involves distraction techniques with activities and friends.

If our methods are not successful a counselor will call home and ask for advice.

Our goal is for campers to have a positive and successful experience at CSM. Sometimes, it just isn’t the right time, and a camper will go home. Focus on the positive and encourage your camper to try camp again next year.

Space is limited in the cabins; therefore, we recommend you do not overpack.  Please make sure all items are labeled with your camper’s name.
The walk from the parking lot to the cabins is long. We highly recommend bringing a wagon to help move belongings to your cabin. Click HERE for a printable packing list.

Clothing
t-shirts/sweatshirts/long-sleeved shirts                                                                                      
shorts/pants/sweatpants
undergarments
socks
bathing suits
pajamas
laundry bag/garbage bag (for dirty clothes)

Shoes
Sneaker (required)
Water shoes
Crocs/Flip flops (shower shoes)

Cabin Gear
Pillow/sleeping bag or sheet/blankets (twin-sized)
Twin-sized fitted sheet
Flashlight/reading light
book/sudoku/mazes/coloring books etc. (to help fall asleep at night)
Snacks & candy
Water bottles
Sunscreen/bug spray

Shower/Personal Stuff
Bath towels
Beach towels
Washcloths
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Soap or body wash/shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant
Brush/hair ties
Shower caddy with holes/something to carry shower stuff in
Contacts/glasses
Feminine products

Optional Items
White t-shirt to be tie-dyed
Lacrosse stick, football, etc.
Battery powered fan
Raingear/ windbreaker
Black pens/markers to write home & paper
Email response paper (from the parent portal/online community) or self-addressed, stamped envelopes.
Comfort items (stuffed animal, journal, etc.)
Sunglasses/hat
Medicine *to be stored in the health center*
Lotion
Extra batteries (flashlight & fan)

What not to pack
Any items of high personal or monetary value
Cell phones
Money
Extension cords/outlet strips
Electric fans
Any device with Wi-Fi, 5G, or other internet capabilities (tablets, iPads, Kindles, etc.)
Valuables (watches, jewelry, etc.)
Pocket knives/lighter

A note on cell phones: We wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of unplugging at camp and ask that you respect this policy. Camp Stella Maris is a unique setting where kids are given the valuable resource of belonging to a community of their own. A community in which kids interact face-to-face, with positive role models who have time to listen, talk, relax, and reflect. CSM provides a safe environment that allows kids to learn positive things to say and do when they make mistakes and face challenges. Suspending electronic interactions teaches kids not only how to read facial emotions and non-verbal cues, but also how to make social adjustments to new and different people. We believe campers do their best when they are fully invested in the camp experience, and they can experience camp independently. We have often found that this separation can be harder for our parents than for our campers. We encourage you to talk to your camper ahead of time about ways they can share their camp experience. Letters, journaling, and photographs are some great ways to connect while apart.

Packing Tips

• Have your camper pack with you. Not only will this build excitement (especially if there might be potential homesickness), but also accountability. You won’t be there to help find a missing sock, so this is a great opportunity to work on responsibility and taking care of their belongings.
• Make sure your younger camper can open all shower bottles and know how much to use.
• For younger campers, we recommend packing a change of clothes for each day in separate zip-lock bags.
• Bath and beach towels? Yes, maybe 2 of each. Beach towels tend to get sandy & dirty.
• Extra socks & underwear – you can never have enough dry socks (or underwear)!
• A couple of swimsuits – putting on a wet swimsuit is the worst!
• Extra sheets and/or blankets for accidents at night.
• Whatever you decide to pack in, remember you have to carry it to and from your vehicle. We recommend plastic totes (some have wheels)! Cabin floors may get dirty, wet, and sticky. There is no right or wrong, make it practical and easy for your camper to get in and out of. We have wagons to borrow if needed.
• Candy? Really? YES! Think baseball cards – campers get to know each other by trading/sharing their candy & snacks. Please no melty stuff – cabins can get very toasty.
• If you want it back – label it!

Lost and Found

• CSM is not responsible for lost or damaged clothing or equipment.
• We encourage parents/guardians to check cabin clotheslines and CSM’s lost & found areas before departure.
• Please make sure to pick up your camper’s medications at the Health Center.
• We will hold lost & found items until October. Please call the main office if your camper is missing something.

Day camp packing list

Yes. You MUST contact the office to pick up your camper at a different time then their scheduled pick up time. 585-346-2243

Harmful Agal Blooms (HABs), sometimes referred to as Blue Green Algae (BGA) occur when bacteria that can make toxins rapidly multiply, particularly in warm, calm water conditions. The Livingston County Department of Health tests our water regularly and determines if it is safe to swim. When a HAB exists the swimming area remains closed until the water is clear and testing confirms toxin levels are not a health threat. Contact with these harmful algal blooms can lead to health issues such as itching, rashes, fever, headache, respiratory symptoms, vomiting, and diarrhea. We are currently working with the Conesus Lake Association to find ways to lessen the duration of these blooms. When the lake is closed for swimming, we provide our campers with fun alternatives such as land inflatables, slip and slides, and other water games.

Yes.
You may have ONE name listed as your cabin mate request. The request MUST be reciprocal (requested by the other camper) to be considered.
**Camp considers a wide variety of information when placing campers into cabins. This could include past summer behavior and input from CSM staff & the camper’s caregivers**
If a younger camper requests to be with an older camper or vice versa, the older camper will be placed in the younger camper’s cabin.
*We do not consider school or grade when placing kids into cabins.*
This request is to be in the same cabin, not in the same bunk. A bunk lottery is held upon arrival at the cabin.
To request a cabin mate please log on to your parent portal, click “forms and documents”, and click cabinmate requests.